A Greek Abroad: Ambassador, Defender, Expert, Apologist

By

Matina Stevis

Jun 16, 2015 3:30 am ET

“So where in the U.S. are you from?” asked the Kenyan banker at the recent World Economic Forum for Africa in Cape Town. “I’m not from the States, I just learned English from Americans,” I said flatly.

I’m aware that the normal response would have been, “I’m not from the States, I’m Greek.” But this isn’t a normal time to be Greek. When you’re living abroad and your country’s in the news to this extent, two things happen: one, it becomes a constant item of conversation; and, two, you become a de facto ambassador, a defender, an expert, an apologist.